Fluid valve



D. H. REEVES April 1, 1952 FLUID VALVE 4 Sheets-SheetI l Filed April Y16, 1945 April 1, 1952 D. H. REEVES FLUID VALVE Filed April 16, 19455 ,34

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 1, 1952 D. H. REEvEs 2,591,292

FLUID VALVE Filed April 16, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 2,00 148 16o a U" 77@ i 15 170 174 172, 17

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"5G f 16@ 13G -`12e 11% D. H. REEVES FLUID VALVE April l, 1952 4 sheets-sheet 4 Filed April 16, 1945 ze zoe ma 14e Patented Apr. 1, 1952 FLUID VALVE Donald H.Reeves, Dayton, Ohio, assigner to Donald H. 'Reeves And Associates, Beulah,

Mich., a partnership Application April 16, 1945, Serial No. 588,665

11 claims. 1

This invention relates to uid valve assemblies uwor faucets and more particularly to valves or faucets that may be frequently opened and closed.

'Ihis invention is related to the inventions disclosed in my copending applications for United States Letters Patent Serial Numbers 508,721 and 509,633 ripening into Patents Nos. 2,497,557 and 2,497,558, respectively, each dated February 14, 1950. This invention has many of the fundamental principles of operation shown in these previous applications with certain added improvements. Some of the embodiments of this invention are disclosed in another application for United States Letters Patent Ser. No. 588,665 filed April 16, 1945.

In the past, valves and faucets, particularly` those commonly used in connection with lavatories, bath tubs, showers, sinks, laundry tubs and other such applications where there is no other shut-oifmeans between the outlet of the valve or faucet and the discharge point, have been so made that when manually opened to a desired degree, to which degree it will remain opened until manually closed, there is no assurance that the vvalve will be completely closed, even though that be the wish of the operator, as it is necessary to manually move the valve to its completely closed position in order to prevent leakage. This requires careful operation whenever closing the valve and hasty or slightly careless operation will generally result in incomplete closure of the valve or faucet with its resultant leakage. In closing the now commonly used valve or faucet, it is much easier to so operate it that it will leak slightly than it is to operate it so that it will be completely closed. Because most people realize that it is necessary to completely close the valve or faucet in order to prevent its leaking, many people, when closing a valve or faucet, will exert undue force into the operation, thereby greatly reducing the life of the washer that is used to effect the closure.

Whenever both hot and cold water are used, the present common practice is to have a faucet for each, or else to have a valve for each, the outlets of both valves being connected to a common outlet that empties at the desired point. In the many cases when it is necessary to open both of these faucets or valves in order to obtain water at the desired temperature, the manipulation of the control handles of both valves or faucets is necessary both in opening and in closing. In case the water is not at the desired temperature, it is often necessary to manipulate both control handles to open one valve and clQSe the other, in order to get the desired temperature. If. where two valves are connected to a single outlet, they are presumably closed by the independent manipulation of the two handles and it is found that the outlet is dripping, it is not apparent to the operator which of the two valves is leaking, so it is often necessary to try further closing of both valves before the dripping is stopped.

Valves and faucets now in common use are so made that they will remain open to whatever extent the operator leaves them open. While this is in general the most convenient means of operation, there are times when a self-closing faucet would be more convenient, especially if the opening operation were an extremely simple one.

Valves or faucets now in common use have most of their working parts in the water chamber where the corrosive'action lof the water often makes the valve unusable.

An object of this invention isto improve valve assemblies. More specifically, an object of this invention is to provide lvalve assembliesso made that when the operator attempts to close the valve or valves, closure will be complete so `as to insure no leakage, regardless of howl carelessly the closing operation has been performed.`

Another object of this invention is to provide valve assemblies wherein excessive pressure cannot be exerted upon the valve seat by the operator, which excessive pressure reduces the life of the seating parts. f

Another object of this invention is to provide a valve assembly wherein any desired mixture of hot and cold water can be obtained in any desired quantity by means of a single control handle, with single shut-off means that will insure the complete closing of both the hot and the cold water valves, regardless of how carelessly the closing operation has been performed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a valve or faucet assembly of the type that will remain open to any desired degree but with improved means to make possible the operation of the valve as a self-closing valve, the closing of the valve being accomplished by the most simple pressing of a lever -or button.

Another object of this invention is to provide a valve or faucet assembly of such construction that it is unnecessary to grasp the controlling handle or other member in order to either open or close the valve; but where either the opening or closing can be accomplished by merely pushing a controlling member, making it possible to perthe same embodiment, thisview being taken at l right angles to that shown in Figure l, approximately along the line 2-2 in Figure 1. This view shows the valve closed.

Figure 3 is a top view of the samev embodiment.

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken approximately along line A in Figure 1. j Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional View corresponding to Figure 1, but showing the valve Open.'

Figure 6 isa fragmentary cross sectionalview corresponding to Figure 1, but showing the mechanism at the instant that the release lever is pressed in order to close the valve.

Figurek 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view corresponding to Figure 1, showing the mechanisn'rafter the handle has returned to its ver-Y tical position but before the operator has ceased to pressthe release lev'er.

Figurel 8 is a vertical cross sectional view of a second-embodiment of my invention, as applied `toa'valveassembly containing two valves and showing both valves in their closed positions,

this view being taken approximately along line 8 8 in Figure 9.

Figure 9 is a vertical cross sectional view of the .second embodiment of my invention, this view being taken approximately along line 9,-f9 as shown in Figure 8 and being at right angles to the view shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a top view of this second embodiment, showing the directions of movement of the handle.

Figure 11 is a horizontal cross sectionalview takenapproximately along line li-il as shown in Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken approximately along line |2--l2 as shown in Figure 8, but with the handle socket removed.

,Figure 13 is'an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 8. l

Figure 14 is a horizontal cross sectional View taken approximately along the line Ii--ili as shown in Figure 8.

Figure 15 is a horizontalcross sectional view taken approximately along the line IE5- l5 as shown in Figure 8. v

Figure 16 is a vertical cross sectional View corresponding to Figure 8; but with one Valve open.

Figure 17 is a verticalcross sectional view corresponding to Figure 8; but with both valves open.

Figure 18 isavertical cross sectional view corresponding to Figure 9; but with both Valves open.

Figure 19 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view corresponding to Figure 18; but showing the mechanism at the instant that the release lever has been pressed in order to closethe valves.

Figure 2O is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view corresponding to Figure 9, showing the mechanism after the handle `has returned to its vertical position, but before the operator has ceased to press the release lever.

Figure 21 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view of a modification of the second embodiment and corresponds to Figure 9 of the second embodiment, this modification having the same release means as is disclosed in the second embodiment, but omitting the release lever detent.

Figure 22 is a section through the handle socket and the body cap of the second embodi ment at the line of their contact, taken substantially onthe line 22--22 of Figure 2l.

Figure 23 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectionalview of a portion oi the valve shown in Figure 7, so as to disclose the oset relation of two centers of gravity.

VIn thedrawings, the reference character 3!) designates a valve support, such as a lavatory, bath tub, sink or the like. This support 38 is provided with an aperture receiving the main? body 32 of the valve assembly, whiohis held in but the construction shown allows the replacement of the orice when it becomes unusable due to wear or corrosion. A tubular valve supporting member t8 is concentrically mounted in the valve body 32 and its lower Aend compresses flexible y diaphragm or partition 48 against a shoulder 50 of the body 32. This tubular valve supporting member d8 is held in position 4byJa lock nut 52 which screws into body 32. The dia'- phragm i8 is made of rubber-like material having characteristics suitable for the Viluid em" ployed.

A handle 5ft and a handle socket 56 both screw upon a pivot member 58, to provide for vertical adjustment of the working parts, as will now be described.v The handle socket 56 bears at its lower edge on the surface of a ball-shaped upper portion S8 of the tubular member 46; Pivot member '58 has a stem with rectangular cross section which passes through a rectangular slot 58 in the top of tubular member 46. This slot prevents the handle from rotating clockwise beyond the vertical position shown in Figure 1. A lifting member 62 pivotally engages the pivot member 58 by means of a stud or pivot 6d. The lower end 86 of the lifting member 62 engages a disc 68 in such a way that when lifting member 62 is raised, it will cause the disc 68 to rise, there- Y by allowing a plunger lll to rise.

The upper endY of a compression spring 'l2 is held in a xed position by means of retaining member lli, the upper end of which bears against shoulder 'i5 of tubular member d8. 'Ihe lower end of the spring l2 presses downwardly upon disc 88. When the lifting member 62 is in'its lowest position, disc 58 is allowed to act freely under the pressure of spring'12 and it therefore presses plunger 'i8 downwardly, causing the center portion of diaphragm 48 to be pressed against the topof orifice member 42, thereby closing the orice member so that no fluid can. flow. Spring l2 is made with sufiicient pressure to cause diaphragm 48 to close the oriiice member 42 against the highest pressure and velocity that will be encountered.

The center of the pivot 84 normally lies below and to one side of the center of the upper portion 60, which is a spherical segmental surface, so that as the pivot member 58 is oscillated with the socket 56 in contact with the spherical segmental surface 60, the pivot 64 travels through a curved path concentric with the spherical segmental surface `60.

When the upper end of the handle 54 is moved to the left or rotated counterclockwise, as shown in Figure 5, handle socket 58, bearing against the spherical segmental surface 80 of tubular member 45, causes the handle to rotate about the center 18 of surface 80, causing the stud 64 to rise, which in turn raises lifting lmember 62 and disc 68, leaving plunger 18 and the center portion of flexible diaphragm 48 free to rise under the pressure of the iiuid in orifice member 42, thus allowing the fluid to flow out of the top of orifice member 42 into chamber 80 of body 32 and thence out of the valve body through outlet 4|),- approximately as indicated by the arrows in Figure 5. Because of the angle ofpressure between the edge of the handle socket 56 and the spherical segmental surface 60, the friction between these two parts is great enough to hold the handle in any position where the operator may leave it. The handle 54 may be moved in either direction to open or close the valve to any desired degree and it will stay where the operator leaves it. The parts thus far described comprise a complete and operable valve assembly.

The conventional valves now in use each have a control handle which can be used for opening and closing the valve. When closing the valve,

however,"1the operator must be very careful "to fully close the valve or there will be a slight leakage which, in the ease of a liquid, will cause a drip or a small stream to remain running'.

which is both wasteful and extremely annoying. This is also the case in the valve described above, though to a lesser degree, because the operation of closing the valve is easier than that of opening and because the provision of a little lost motion makes it unnecessary to stop in one exact place in order that the valve may be closed. A To practically eliminate this closing trouble, in the device disclosed herein a release lever 82 is provided. This is pivotally mounted upon an edge of the retaining member 'I4 at a point 84. Detent 86 is pivotally attached to release lever 82 by means of stud 88. The lower end 90 of detent 86 is arcuate, the center 92 of the arc being offset somewhat from the center of the pivot-88, as shown in Figure 5. This arcuate end'90 normally rests on surface 8| of retainer 14. Tension spring 94 is fastened at one endl to detent 86 at point 98 and at the other end to projection 98 of retainer 'I4 (see ligure). With the arcuate surface 88 as shown, any counterclockwise rotation of the detent 86 around pivot 88 will raise pivot 88. 4Tension spring 98 tends to rotate detent 86 counterclockwise; but it also tends to rotate release lever 82 counterclockwise around its pivot 84, thereby tending to lower pivot 88. Due to the fact that the moment arm tending to rotate detent 86 is quite small in comparison to the moment arm tending to rotate release lever 82, these parts will remain in the positions shown in Figures 1 and 5, even though they be not restrained from moving by any other means. I

When the handle 54 is in the vertical position, as shown in Figure 1, projection |00 on pivot member 58 bears against the edge of detent 86,

8|, will allow it to rotate.

forcing the lower end of the detent againstth edge |02 of the opening in retainer I4 through which the `end of the detent projects. This insures the proper positioning of the detent 86 and the release lever 82 when the valve is closed. When the handle 54 is moved counterclockwise to open the valve, projection |00 leaves detent 86. If, now, the outer end |04 of release lever 82 is pressed downwardly, as shown in Figure 6,- the entire release lever is rotated around pivot 84, raising detent pivot 88 and detent 86. As detent 86 is raised, tension spring 84 causes detent 86 to rotate counterclockwi'se'as far 'as the arcuate surface 90, in contact with surface Because of the small angle between the arcuate surface 98 and an arc through the pivot center 88, the friction of the arcuate surface on surface 8| is great enough so that pivot 88 and detent 86 will not lower again, regardless of the amount of forcethat is exerted downwardly on that end of the release lever 82, until detent is forced to rotate clockwise by projection |00 on pivot member 58. ,A

The valve can be closed by manually returning' lhandle 54 to its vertical position. An easier and surer means is to press downwardly end |04 of release lever 82. This action first closes the gap between the top of the release lever and the arcuate surface |86 on pivot member 58, then further movement of the release lever will slightly raise pivot member 58 so that the entire edge of handle socket 56 is no longer in contact with spherical segmental surface 60, although some portion of the edge may still be in contact with the ball. This removes the friction' between the socket 56 and the surface E0, so that the downward force of the cpmpression spring 12, acting through lifting member 62. pulls down on pivot 64, causing the handle 54 to return to its vertical position, as shown in Figure 7. Darts to be moved and the amount of pressure of the springs, the return of the handle to its vertical position is accomplished so quickly that inthe great majority of cases -this will occur while the operator is still pressing the release lever, .as shown in Figure '7. In order to permit a quicker return to the vertical position, the handle can be made hollow or of light weight materials. A highly satisfactory valve assembly can therefore be made omitting detent 86. There is a remote possibility, however, that the operator will cease pressing the release lever before the handle has completed its returnto the vertical position. It

is to insure the complete closing of the valve that the detent 86 has been' added. As previously explained, this detent 85 holds the pivot 88 at the highest position to which it has been moved by the pressing of the outer end |04 of the release lever 82. If, therefore, the release lever 82 is pressed far enough so that it causes handle socket 5S to disengage from the spherical segmental surface 80, then the release lever Will remain in this position, even though the operator has ceased'to press the end |04 of the release lever, until projection Illilon handle pivot member 58 forces detent 85 back into its normal position, as shown in Figure 1. While this last action takes place slightly before the handle has completed its travel, the amount is so slight that the inertia of the handle and other moving parts is great enough to insure completion of the movement.

As previously explained, only the very slightest disengagement of handle socket 56 and the sphericalsegmental surface 60 is necessary to allow the handle 54 to move freely under the pres- Due to the lightness of the sureof spring l2, Because the movementoi the release Vlever necessary to cause this disengagement is very slight after the release lever has contacted arcuate surface IGS of pivot member S, it is possible that if the center |65 of the arc of this arcuatesurface ille coincided with the center of thev spherical segmental surface 6G, then any slight irregularity in the surface of the spherical segmental surface-would cause handle socket 56 to again engage on the spherical segmental surface 6i! and would prevent the further movement of the handle 513, making it impossible for the valve to complete its closure.. To eliminate the vdanger of this happening, the center lilo of the arcuate surface |56 is offset slightly from the centei` l' of the spherical segmental surface il@ as best seen in Figure 23. Referring to Figure 7, it will be seen that the radii of these two circles are indicated by lines with arrows at the arcs and dots in the centers and it will be seen that the center of the arcuate surface |86 is slightly to the right of the center. of the spherical segmental surface Eil. This being the case, when the handle lift is moved toits open position, as shown in Figure 5, the center of the arcuate surface will rise inl relation to the center of the spherical segmental surface BG.' This being the case, when the release lever 32 is pressed suiiciently to raise the handle socket 56 so it disengages from the spherical segmental surface 6e, allowing movement of the handle 54 toward its closed position, handle socket 55 will continuously rise slightly as this movement takes place, thereby increasing the clearance between the handle socket 56 and the spherical segmental surface bil, so that any slight irregularity in the surface of the spherical segmental surface Biiwill have no effect on the movement of the handle, If the voperator is still pressing the release lever when the handle 5d has Y retumed to vertical position and the release lever .closed positions and the valve will be tightly closed.

' If the end oi release lever E2 is pressed downwardly when the handle 54 is in its vertical position, as shown in Figure 7, the entire handle assembly, including handle 5t, socket 56 and pivot member, will move upwardly. During this upward movement the handle 5e will remain in a vertical position, due to the fact that the stem of the pivot member 58 bears against the front end of slot 59. The handle assembly cannot therefore rotate clockwise and it will not rotate counterclockwise, because of the pressure exerted on pivot @d by spring l2. As the release lever is pressed and the handle assembly rises, it raises liftingmember 62 and disc B against the action .of compression spring l2, thereby allowing the plunger 7|! and the center of theY flexible diaphragme to rise, opening the end of orifice member liz andv allowing the fluid to flow. The farther down the end E04 of release lever is pressed, the more the valve will be opened and the greater will be the dow of the fluid. As soon as the operator ceases to press end llifof the release lever 82, the handle assembly and the lifting member will again drop into the positions shown in Figure A1 and spring '12"wi11 force the diaphragm ls tolclose orifice member 42. When so operated, the valve assembly is self-closing in its operation. g

In the embodiment shown in Figures 8 to2!) inclusive, the reference character ||0 designates a valve support, such as a lavatory, bath tub, sink or the like. This support |0 isprovided withan aperture receiving the main body I i 2 of the valve assembly which is held in position by some means such as clamping member H4 which bears against washer H6 and which is tightly held in position in. relation to body H2 by means of screw Ylie. The body H2 has two iiuid inlets which, for the purpose of illustration in this description, we will assume are for hot water. and cold water, inlet I2@ being for hot Water and |22 for cold water. This body H2 also has anV outlet connection its which, in thisvcase, is shown as aV threaded connection to be connected to a separate nozzle at some other place. It is to be understood, however, that this body can be so changed that the outlet connection forms a nozzle, making this valve assembly into a faucet. Each of the inlet connections has screwed into it an orifice member, these being it for the hot water and |28 'for the cold water, while gaskets |30 between these orifice members and the body form leak-tight connections. These orifice members are shown as removable pieces, so that they lcan be replaced in case of wear, but they can be made integral parts of body i2, if desired.

Mounted on the upper part of body ||2 is the semi-spherical cap |32 having a tongue lllwhch projects into a slot in body iii, so that the cap cannot turn. in relation to the body. Through an aperture 35 in cap |32, as best shown in Figure i2, projects handle pivot member |353, on which are carried control handle ide, handle socketJ'liZ and loci; nut Mi, the lock nut and the threaded handle permitting of adjustment ofthe parts. The pivot member E33 has a' flattened section |45 which goes through a hole of .like shape in socket idd, so that the socket will not turn` in relation to the pivot member. The lower edge of socket i 2 rests on the spherical surface of cap 32.

At the lower end of pivot member E38 is a projection H33, the. shape of which is best shownin the enlarged view in Figure i3. This projection |48 has two depressions ld and E52 which have sphericalbottoms and tapered sides in which rest the sphericaliy ended projections |54 and |55 of lifting members 53 and itil respectively. `Re;- ierring to Figure il, it will Vbe seen that the depression le is diagonally above and to the leftV of the center of the main portion of the pivot member |38, while depression 52 is diagonally above and to the right ci said -center,v so that lines passed through the centers of these depressions and the center of the pivot member, such as lines |62 and ltd, are'at approximately right angles to each other.

Resting on shoulder |86 of body ||2 is ilexible diaphragm |63, above which, andclamping the edges oi the diaphragm in place, is cylindrical housing il@ through which are two cylindrical holes l2 andl lill, best shown in Figure 14. Above housing il@ is retainer |16. Two screws lili and |30, which screw into body H2, clamp diaphragm. |68, housing |10 and retainer |16 together. For purposes of simplification of assembly, screw itil does not Vgo through retainer |76. In the two holes |12 and |14 in housing |18 and immediately above diaphragm |68 are 'two plungers |82 and |84 and resting on these plungers are discs |86 and |88. Compressed between discs |86 and |88 and retainer |16 are springs |90 and |92. Lifting members |58 and |68 engage discs |86 and |88 respectively in such manner that the raising of either lifting members will cause the corresponding disc to rise, further compressing the spring above it and leaving the plunger and the portion of the diaphragm directly below it free to rise, which they will do, due to the pressure of the fluidi in the orifice member directly below the released portion of the diaphragm. When the lifting members |58 and |68 are not lifted from their normal positions,

i if) as shown in Figure 8, discs |86 and |88 are free to force plungers |82 and |84 downwardly, a little clearance being allowed for this purpose, and they, in turn, force downwardly the portions of the exible diaphragm |68 immediately ,below said plungers, thereby sealing the ends of the orice members |26 and |28 and preventing the flow of the fluid. Thus it will be understood that the flow of the fluid through either inlet can be controlled by the raising and lowering of liftv ing members |58 and |68.

Control handle |48, which is fastened rigidly to pivot member |38 and socket |42, is restricted in its movement by the shape of the aperture |36 in cap |32,- through which the stem of pivot member |38 projects. The handle |48 can be moved from its central or vertical. position along line `|62a, as shown in Figure l2, or along line |64a or anywhere between these two lines, as permitted by the aperture |86. When moved in any f .of these directions, the handle assembly, which includes handle |49, pivot member |38, socket |42 and lock nut |44, will rotate about the center of the spherical portion of the cap |32, since the edge of the socket |42 is resting on the spherical l .end of said cap. If, therefore, the handle |48 is ,moved from its vertical position along line |62a, as shown in Figure 12, depression |52 in projection |48 at the lower end of pivot member |38 will be caused to rise, as it is on line |62, as shown in Figure 11, and line |62 is in the same vertical plane as line |62a. During this movement, depression |58, being on line |64, which is at right angles to line |62, will neither rise nor fall. The result of this movement of handle |48 is therelifting member |58, as is bestl shown inFigure 16. lThis raising of lifting member |60 raises `discl 88 which allows plunger |84 and the portion of diaphragm |86 immediately below it to rise,

,fluid to flow, which in this case is hot water, while orifice |28 remains closed. Therefore, hot water "only will fiow from Aoutlet |24. If, on the other hand, the handle 48 is moved along line |6411, depression. |58 will rise, raising lifting member |58 and opening` orifice |28, while orifice |26 remains closedso only cold water will flow. If,

however, the handle |48 is moved'along a line ,neither line |62a nor |64a, but is nearer to |62a thanto 864e, then both orifices will be opened,

, 5,0 fore to raise lifting member |68 but not move" c55 opening orifice member |26 and allowing the' but orice |26 will be opened more than oriilce |28, so the resultant mixture of the two waters will contain more hot water than cold water. Thus it will be seen that either all hot water or all cold water, or any desired mixture of the two can be obtained, depending entirely upon the direction in which the handle is moved from its vertical position, while the amount of water obtained depends upon the distance from the vertical position that the handle is moved. Obviously, if water is flowing and it is desired to change the proportions of the mixture, it is only'necessary to move the handle |48 toward line I62a to obtain hotter water and toward line |64a to obtain colder water. With aperture |36, which limits the amount of movement of the handle, shaped as shown, it is impossible to openboth orifices at the same time to their fullest extent, but an approximately uniform maximum flow will result. regardless of the mixture. By slightly changing the shape of aperture |36 so as to allow greater travel of the handle when moved in other directions than along lines |62a or |64a, the full effective openings of the two orifices can be 0btained.

When the handle |48 has been moved away from its vertical position, one or both of the compression springs |98 and |92 are compressed and therefore tend to pull the handle backto its vertical position. This is prevented, however, by the Afriction of handle socket |42 against the surface of cap |82, the angle of contact being such that the friction is greater than the rotating force created on the handle by the springs. Thus. the handle will remain wherever the operator leaves it until the operator purposely causes it to move, either to change the proportions of mixture or the quantity of the water or to shut it ofi` completely. In case either or both of the orifices 26 and |28 are open, they can both be closed in one operation by moving handle |48 to its vertical position, which is as far away from its open position as aperture y |36 will allow the handle to move. This isa simple and easy operation and a fairly satisfactory valve assembly need contain no more parts than described above. However, there is no assurance that the valve will be completely closed, as a careless operation can easily result in the handle not being `moved its full distance. Additional means have therefore been 'added to simplify the closing of the oriflces and to insure their complete closure.

Release lever |94 is pivoted to retainer |16 by pin |96. This release lever |94 projects through an aperture |98 formed by aligning slots in the top ofbody ||2 and the lower edge of cap |32.

When this release lever is not being pressed by the operator, it contacts the top of this aperture, as shown in Figure 9. End 282 extends under 'the partially spherical end 206 of pivot member f release lever |94 will cause the entire handle assembly to rise so that the lower edge of socket |42 will clear the spherical surface of cap |32, thereby removing the friction between. these two parts, so that the handle assembly is free to move under the action of the compression springs |98 and |92 into its vertical position, as shown in Figure 20. Figures 19 and 20 show the handle A'cause the release lever |90 to move.

entre assembly raised to such` an extent that there is aconsiderable gap between the lower edge of socket|02 Vand the surface of the cap |32, actually only the very slightest clearance is necessary to remove the friction between these parts. Due to the lightness of the parts to be moved and the amount ofthe pressure of the springs, the handle assembly will be returned to its vertical position in so short an interval of time that it is probable lthat the operator will still be pressing the release lever, as shown in Figure 20. If so, there is a possibility that one or both of the orifices will'still be slightly open, but as soon as the opcal position, so that in the great majority of cases the valves will completely close. A valve assembly with' the above described parts will therefore Abe highly satisfactory.

- 'There isa possibility that the operator may let go of the release lever so quickly that the handle will not have had time 'to complete its return, in which case the orifices may be left partially open. To prevent this possibility, detaining means are added. Detent 208 is pivoted by the stud 2|0 to the arm 2|2 which is a part of the retainer |76. This detent 200 has a projection 2|4 which extends across the stem of the pivot member |38. A tension spring 2|6 extends between a stud 2 I8 on the detent 200 and the arm 220,'lwhich is a part of the release lever |90, thus tending to rotate the release lever |94 counterclockwise around its pivot |90 while tending to rotate the detent 200 counterclockwise around Vits'pivot 2|0. Due to the fact, however, that the lower end of the detent 208 projects under and comes in contact with projection 200 on the end V202 of the release lever |90, neither the detent 200 nor the release lever can move in the Vdirection that the spring tends to move it without the other of Vthese two pieces being moved contrary to the spring tendency. The surface 222 of detent 200 that contactsV the projection 200 zon release lever Lellis an arc whose center is offset from the center of the detent pivot 2|0, as

shown in Figure 9, to such an extent that it becomesa camming surface. The amount of the offset of this center, however, is so slight that the pressure downward of projection 202 can-V spring 2 I0 on the detent 200 is so small and the` moment arm of the same spring on the release lever |04 is so great that the detent 208 cannot Consequently, neither the detent nor the release lever will move, due solely to the inliuenceof the other. If, however, the release lever |04 is pressed downwardly by the operator, when the handle |40 is out of its vertical position, so that pivot member |46 does not Contact projection 2|4 on detent 208, as is shown in Figure 19, then spring 2|6 will cause the detent 208 to move counterclockwise around its pivot 2 0, so that surface 222 will stay in contact with projection 202. Thus, if release leverV |94 is pressed far enough to release the contact between socket |42 and cap |32, detent 208 will hold the release lever in this position, even though the operator ceasesto press the release lever, until'handle |00 travels far enough Y towardits vertical positionso that pivot member l l2 |00 strikesV projection 2|4 on detentr208 and causes it to return to the position shown in Figure 9. Even though pivot member |40 moves detent 208 before the handle has completed its movement toits vertical position, the remaining movement necessary for the handle is so small that the inertia of the handle insures completion of this handle movement. Complete closure of both orifices is therefore assured everytime that the release lever |04 is pressed by the-operator far enough to cause any movement of the handle.

Since only the slightest disengagement of vhandle ,socket |02 and spherical cap|32 is necessary in order to allowthe handle |00 to move freely under the pressure of springsV |00 and |02, Vonly a very slight movement of therelease lever is required, after surface 202 -has contacted spherical end 205 of pivot member |30, before handle |00 will start to move toward its vertical position. For this reason, even though release lever |00 is held stationary, any slightirregularity in the surface of that portion of the kcap |32 where the socket |02 makes contact might Y cause the handle |00 to again cease its movement,

preventing the complete closure of the orifices.V

To prevent this possibility, the center 20| ofthe spherical end 2000i the pivot member |38is offset from the center 203 of the spherical end of the cap |32, as will be seen by reference to Figure 9. To assist in the explanation, we will use the number205 to designate the center of a sphere having the same radius as has the spherical end of cap |32, it being assumed that said sphere is at all times as high in socket |42 as the walls of said socket Vwill allow it to go. This being the case, whenever socket |02 is in full contact with cap |32, centers 203 and 205 must coincide, as is the case in Figures 9 and 18. Y

With center 20| offset from centers 203 and 205, when the handle |00 is so moved as to open either or both of the orifices, Ycenter 20| of the pivot member |30 rises slightly in relation to the center 203 of the cap, as shown in Figure. v10. Since socket |02 is still in contact with cap |32,

release lever V|00 is now pressed so as 'to cause spherical end 200 of pivot member |30 to rise,Y

as shown in Figure 19, and ifthe release lever is held in this position, then center 205 will have left center 203 and as handle |40 moves toward its vertical position, the distance between these centers increases, so the `clearance'between socket |22 and cap |32 increaseauntil, whenthe handle |00 is in its vertical position, center 205 is on the same horizontal line as center 20|, as shown in Figure 20. This increasing clearance removes any possibility that a slight irregularity in the surface of cap |32 willstop the movement of handle |00. l K

As previously explained, the closing of the vorifices on both of the previously Adescribed modirications ofmy invention is so rapid thatwith the natural movement of the vastv majority of operators inpressing the release levers, complete closure of the orifices would result, even though the detents that hold the release levers in their releasing positions were omitted. This omission of the detents Yand the resultant simplification of the release levers would, of course, simplify the design and construction vvof the .valveassemblies Y and therefore reduce the cost". vFigure 21 shows 'howthis modification of the second embodiment mightnappeanthis figure showing the yhandle in =its centralv position,Y so `that both orifices Aare 13 closed. All of the lower parts of the valve not shown in this fragmentary cross section are the same as in Figures' 8 to 20 inclusive, as are also those parts that bear the same numbers. The only parts in Figure 21 that are different from those in Figures 8 to 20 inclusive are the release lever 224 and retianer 22E. The release lever 224 does not have the projection 2s2 found in release lever |94 and does not have any connection for a spring, such as arm 223. Also, this release lever 224 is so made and mounted that `.it will make contact with spherically shapedend 2st of the pivot member |38 at all times if the valve is mounted vertically, as shown, inV which case, there is clearance in aperture |98 above the release lever to make sure that the Vrelease lever will not prevent the handle from lowering far enough .to completely close both, orifices. Re tainer 226 is similar to retainer H3; but does not have the upright upon which the detent is mounted. Due to the fact that the end of the release lever 224 is always in contact with the lower end of pivot member |32, less` movement of the release lever 224 is required. for causing` the orifices to close than is the case in the embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 20 inclusive. All operations of opening and closing the orifices are thesame as 4described for the embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 20 inclusive, provided the operator continues to press the release lever` until the handle .has attained its upright position. A Y 4 In. the foregoing description of all embodiments of my invention, I have specifiedthat the members between which friction occurs so that the valve mechanism shall be held. open to anyv desired degree, shall be a coup-shaped member bearing on the outside of a spherical member, these being represented by handle socket 53 and spherical segmental surface or ball @il in the first embodiment, and handle socket |32 and cap |42 in the second and third embodiments. While these parts will work satisfactorily/ as described if the handle socket is perfectly round at the line where it touches the spherical surface and if the spherical surface is perfectly true, it has been found that slight inaccuracies in either part may cause the handle socket to bear upon the spherical surface close to the center of rotation of the handle assembly, where the movement of the handle socket on the spherical surface is the least, and not toucljiv at the points where the travel is the greatest, therebyimpairing the holding function of these two parts. To overcome this possibility, it has been found advisable to se make these parts that clearance will be assured where the movement between the parts is the least, thereby assuring contact where the movement is the greatest. One means ofr accomplishing this is shown in Figure 22, which is a section taken through the handle socket |42 and the cap |32 at their line of contact, in which socket |42 is shown as being round, but .cap |32 is not truly spherical. The portions of cap |32 from line 23|) to line 232 and from line 234 to 236 are spherical in relation to each other and to the center of the movement of the handle assembly; but the portions of cap |32 from line 23S to line 234 and from line 232 to line 233 are so formed that there will be clearance betweensocket |42 and cap |32 at these points, the cap being located on the valve assembly so that the direction of movement of the handle is approximately between lines 234 and 236. Thus, the greatest movement of the socket in relation to the cap 14 will be somewhere between the approximate positions indicated by lines 230 and 232 at the back of the cap and between lines 234 and 236 at the front of the cap, insuring proper friction action between these parts.

While the foregoing description and the drawings to which it refers are all based on valve assemblies having outlets that are to be con.- nected to spouts that are not integral. with the valve assemblies, it is obvious that the description is otherwiseequally applicable to faucets wherein the spouts are made as integral parts of the bodies.

For simplification and increasedclearness in the description, each embodiment is illustrated and described as having a handle that is in a vertical position when the valves are closed. There is nothing in the construction of the various valve assemblies, however, to prevent proper operation regardless of the direction in which these valve assemblies are mounted.

Although certain preferred embodiments of this device have beendescribed, it will be understood that within the purviewrof ,this invention various changes may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement of parts, the combination thereof and mode of operation, which generally stated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. In a fluid valve assembly, the combination including self-closing valve means, operating means for allowing said valve means to open to any desired degree within the operative range of the valve assembly, means for holding the op- `erating means in such position as to allow the valve means to remain open, second operating means; for releasing the holding means so that the valve will be closed, means for holding the releasing means in releasing position until the closure of the valve means, and means for disengaging the releasing means upon the closure of the valve means. V

2. In a fluid valve assembly with two ports, the combination including valve mechanism having self-closing valve means for each port, a single control member operating the valve mechanism so as to allow the opening of the valve means to any desired degree 'within the operative range of the valve assembly, means for holding the valve mechanism in such position as to allow the valve means to remain open, and separate control means for releasing the holding means.

3. In-a fluid valve assembly with two ports, the combination including'valve mechanism having self-closing valve means foreach port, control means operating the valve mechanism so las to allow the opening of the valve means to any desired degree within the operative range of the ,walve assembly, means for holding the #valve 'mechanism in such Aposition as to allow the valve means to remain open, and a single control member separate from the first control means for releasing the holding means so that all valve means will close.

4. In a uid valve assembly with two ports, the combination including valve mechanism having self-closing valve means for each port, control means operating the valve mechanism so as to allow the opening of the valve means to valve vmeans to remain open, a single control member separate from the first control means for releasing the holding means, and means for holdingthe releasing means in released position for a sufcient period of time so that the valve means will completely close.

5. In a uid valve assembly with two ports, the combination including valve mechanism having self-closing valve means foreach port, control means for operating the valve mechanism soas to allow the opening of the valve means ioany desired degree within the operative range of the valve assembly, means for holding the valve mechanism in such position as to allow' the valve means to remain open, a single control member separate from 'the iirst control means for releasing the Vholding means', means for holding. the

-releasing means in released position for. asumcient period of time so that the valve means will completely close, and means for making the last holding means ineffective when the valve means have returned to. closed position.

.anism in such position as to allow the valve means of both ports to remain open, and a single control member separate from the first control means for releasing the holding means so that all open valve means will close.

-'7. In a fluid valve assembly with two ports, the

combination including valve mechanism having self-closing valve means for eachport, ay single control member operating the valve mechanism so as toV allow the opening of the valve means for Y Yic bers increases' as the valve means approaches the closed position.

to open, means having an operative andan inoperative position, said last means holding the .valve mechanism in such position as to lallow the valve to remain open when in the operative position, and single control means for actuating the holding means from the operative to theinoper.- tive position to permit the valve mechanism to automatically move into closed position.

10. In a fluid valve assembly, the combination including valve means including a diaphragm, control means for allowing the valvemeansto open to any desired degree within theoperative range Yof the valve assembly when moved from the home position, said control means being moveable into home position at the will of the operator, means for holding the control means in. such position as to allow the valve means to remain open to any desired degree, and control means each port to any desired degree within the opera- .open valve means will close.

8. In a iiuid valve assembly, the combination including selfclosingvalve means, control means .for allowing said valve means to open to any de-n sired degree within the operative range of the valve assembly, friction means including a movable member and a stationarymember for holding the control means in such position as to al low the valve to remain open to Aany desired degree, and means for separating said movable and Asaid stationary members so as to Vreleasesaid .friction holding means, said separating means being so formed that the distanceof separation between said movable and said stationary memseparate from the rst single control means for converting the iirst control means into means for automatically closing the valve.

11. In a fluid valve assembl self-closing valve means, means for opening said .valve means, friction means including a movable member and a stationary member for holding said valve means open to any desired degree within the operative range of the valve assembly, and means for separating said movable and said stationary members so as to release said friction means and allow said valve means to close, said movable and said stationary members being so formed that the distance of separation between themincreases as the valve means approaches the closedv position.

DONALD H. REEVES.

connaissons orrsn The following references are of record in the rile of this patent: y

UNITED STATES .PATENTS Number Name Date 602,737 Farrell Apr. 19, 1898 954,898 Stenberg Apr. 12, 1910 963,019 Bice June 28, 1910 1,329,209 Riccio Jan. 27,1920 1,574,767 'I'hurtell Mar. 2, 1926 1,584,895 Rowe May 18, 1926 2,153,029 Tarris Apr. 4, 1939 '2,205,684 Cochran June 25, 1940 2,211,167 Salford Aug. 13, 1940 2,264,655 Brackmann Dec. 2, 1941 2,308,347 Asselin Jan. 12, 1943 2,308,944 Turco Jan. 19, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country A Date Ita1y.. Y er V193e 

